BY SHARON SIBINDI BULAWAYO’S most celebrated gospel choir, Vocal Extra-Ordinaire makes a return to the stage after a two-year sabbatical due to COVID-19 lockdowns with a pre-Easter concert set for Amphitheatre this Saturday.

Vocal Extra-Ordinaire director Thembelani Theodore Mdlaziba told NewsDay Life & Style that as people will be celebrating the death and resurrection of Christ, they will sample a song from their forthcoming album.

“We had a May 25, 2020 concert, but was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. With restrictions having been eased, this  gathering is timely to the body of Christ as we will celebrate with music,” he said.

“We come from a city with immense talent musically and as a team, we have always had great support from the people of Bulawayo. It is then part of the inspiration to get back live on stage for a long anticipated comeback.”

He added: “In 2020, we had lined up some concerts both locally and internationally, but the programme was disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic. This is the reason why we had to reactivate it this year.”

Mdlaziba said as a pre-Easter concert, they would be singing songs that celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus.

“We will be coming together to celebrate life  and fellowship in song. We are re-appearing with a new generation of Vocal Extra-Ordinaire, whose foundation was laid by the founding members who excelled in their years in their own right. We will also have surprise appearances from founding members,” he said.

“April 2 will definitely be a inspirational and uplifting day to the spirit and hearts, a celebration of the gifts and the maker, the Lord Almighty. We recently recorded an album and we will sing part of the song to be released soon.”

He said the major highlight of their comeback would be the release of their new project mid-year.

“We have one project as a group and we have also produced a number of singles from our individual members. We were due to record the second project on May 25, 2020, but due to the lockdown constraints we postponed everything,” he said.

At the concert, the choir will share the stage with Mai Mwamuka, One Spirit, iWorship, Adrian Kaputen and Jacob Song and Ready Hearts.

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